'The Seance' by Robert Service
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"The spirits do not like the light,"
The medium said, and turned the switch;
The little lady on my right
Clutched at my hand with nervous twitch.
(She seemed to be a pretty bitch.)
The moustached women on my left,
With spirits on hr heavy breath,
Lasciviously leaned her heft
On me as one who languisheth.
The sordid room was still as death.
"A shape I see," the medium cried,
"Whose face and name I do not know . . ."
"'Tis Robert service," soft replied
A voice - "I passed a month ago,
And I've come back to let you know.
"The Other Side is gay and bright;
We are so happy there and free,
And Dan McGrew I oft recite,
And follow up with Sam McGee . . .
But now excuse me, I must flee."
The fat dame leaned to get my ear,
(Her breast was soft as feather bed.)
"I love his verses; oh dear, dear,
I didn't know that he was dead."
"No more did I," I sourly said.
The little lady grabbed me hard;
(She looked to me a "yesful" dear.)
Said she: "Don't you adore the Bard?"
Said I: "Before he fades, I fear
I'd like to kick his astral rear."
So then I bravely broke away
From spooks and ectoplasic gauze.
Yet in the brazen light of day
I had to pinch myself because
Really! I wondered if I was.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Seance by Robert Service: A Hauntingly Beautiful Poem
Introduction
The Seance by Robert Service is a hauntingly beautiful poem that delves into the realms of the supernatural. It is a poem that captures the reader's imagination and transports them into a world of mystery and intrigue. As one reads the poem, they are taken on a journey of the unknown, where the boundaries between the living and the dead blur.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in The Seance. We will examine the poem's meaning, its historical context, and how it relates to the author's life. So buckle up and get ready to explore the depths of this timeless piece of literature.
Themes
The Seance explores several themes, the most prominent of which is death. In the poem, the speaker is seeking to communicate with the dead, to bridge the gap between the living and the deceased. The seance is a metaphor for the human desire to understand what lies beyond the veil of death. The speaker is searching for answers and seeking comfort in the belief that death is not the end.
Another theme that is explored in The Seance is the power of the supernatural. The poem presents the supernatural as a force that is beyond our understanding and control. The speaker is at the mercy of the spirits, unable to predict their actions or intentions. The supernatural is a reminder that there are forces in the world that we cannot comprehend, and that there is much that remains a mystery.
The theme of love is also present in The Seance. The speaker's desire to communicate with his loved one who has passed away is a testament to the power of love. Love transcends death, and the speaker's longing to connect with his loved one is a testament to the enduring nature of love.
Symbols
The Seance is rich in symbolism, and the symbols used in the poem add to its haunting beauty. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the candle. The candle represents the fragility of life, and how easily it can be extinguished. The candle is also a symbol of hope, representing the speaker's belief that there is a light that can guide him through the darkness.
Another symbol that is used in The Seance is the Ouija board. The Ouija board represents the unknown, and the speaker's desire to communicate with the dead. It is a symbol of the supernatural, and the power that lies beyond our understanding.
The ghost is also a powerful symbol in The Seance. The ghost represents the dead, and the speaker's desire to communicate with them. The ghost is a reminder that death is not the end, and that there is a world beyond our own.
Literary Devices
The Seance is a masterful use of literary devices, and the poem's structure and language are carefully crafted to create a sense of mystery and intrigue. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is repetition. The repetition of phrases such as "Ouija board" and "ghostly shape" creates a sense of unease and uncertainty.
Another literary device that is used in The Seance is imagery. The poem is rich in vivid imagery, describing the scene in detail and creating a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The use of imagery adds to the poem's haunting beauty, and transports the reader to a world of mystery and intrigue.
The use of rhyme and meter is also prominent in The Seance. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, giving it a musical quality. The use of rhyme adds to the poem's hypnotic quality, and creates a sense of rhythm that draws the reader in.
Historical Context
The Seance was written in the early 20th century, a time when spiritualism was popular. Spiritualism was a belief system that held that the dead could communicate with the living. The Seance reflects this belief system, and the speaker's desire to communicate with the dead is a reflection of the spiritualist movement.
Robert Service was a writer who was known for his poems about the Canadian wilderness. The Seance is a departure from his usual subject matter, and reflects his interest in the supernatural. The poem showcases his versatility as a writer, and his ability to write about a wide range of subjects.
Interpretation
The Seance is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the human desire to understand what lies beyond the veil of death. The poem uses powerful symbols and literary devices to create a sense of mystery and intrigue, transporting the reader to a world of the unknown.
The poem's themes of death, the supernatural, and love are timeless, and resonate with readers today. The Seance is a reminder that there is much that remains a mystery, and that there are forces in the world that we cannot comprehend.
In conclusion, The Seance is a timeless piece of literature that continues to captivate readers today. It is a testament to Robert Service's skill as a writer, and his ability to transport readers to a world of mystery and intrigue. If you have not yet read this hauntingly beautiful poem, I encourage you to do so. You will not be disappointed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Seance: A Haunting Poem by Robert Service
Are you ready to be transported to a world of the supernatural? Then let me introduce you to Robert Service's classic poem, The Seance. This haunting piece of literature is a masterpiece of storytelling that will leave you spellbound.
The Seance is a poem that tells the story of a group of people who gather together to communicate with the dead. The poem is set in a dimly lit room, where the participants sit around a table, holding hands and waiting for the spirits to make contact. As the seance begins, the room is filled with an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of the medium's voice.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which builds on the previous one to create a sense of mounting tension and suspense. In the first part, the participants introduce themselves and explain why they have come to the seance. The medium then begins to call out to the spirits, asking them to make their presence known.
As the seance progresses, the medium becomes more and more agitated, and the participants begin to feel a sense of unease. The second part of the poem is where the real action begins. The spirits start to make themselves known, and the participants are thrown into a world of terror and confusion.
The spirits that are summoned are not the friendly, benevolent ghosts that we see in movies and TV shows. They are malevolent and vengeful, and they seem to have a score to settle with the living. The participants are subjected to a barrage of terrifying visions and sounds, and they are left feeling helpless and alone.
The third part of the poem is where the climax of the story takes place. The spirits become more and more aggressive, and the participants are pushed to the brink of madness. The medium, who had been the voice of reason throughout the seance, is now consumed by the spirits, and she becomes a vessel for their anger and hatred.
The poem ends with a sense of finality, as the spirits depart and the participants are left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. The seance has left them scarred and traumatized, and they are left wondering if they will ever be able to escape the horrors that they have witnessed.
The Seance is a poem that is rich in symbolism and metaphor. It is a commentary on the human condition, and it explores the themes of death, loss, and the afterlife. The poem is also a critique of the spiritualist movement, which was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Service uses language and imagery to create a sense of foreboding and unease. He describes the room as "dim" and "gloomy," and he uses words like "whisper" and "shudder" to create a sense of tension. The poem is also filled with references to death and the afterlife, such as "the land of the dead" and "the ghostly host."
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way that Service uses sound to create a sense of atmosphere. He describes the sound of the medium's voice as "thin and shrill," and he uses words like "whisper" and "murmur" to create a sense of unease. The poem is also filled with eerie sounds, such as "the rustle of a gown" and "the sigh of a breath."
The Seance is a poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of storytelling that continues to captivate readers to this day. The poem is a testament to the power of language and the human imagination, and it is a reminder that there is still much that we do not understand about the world around us.
In conclusion, The Seance is a haunting poem that will leave you spellbound. It is a masterpiece of storytelling that explores the themes of death, loss, and the afterlife. The poem is rich in symbolism and metaphor, and it is a commentary on the human condition. If you are a fan of horror and the supernatural, then The Seance is a must-read. So, turn off the lights, light a candle, and prepare to be transported to a world of the unknown.
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